B U L L E T I N

Most of the articles published here are written by me, with a few exceptions that included articles written by others about me | There are many articles written on my other blogs that I have not included here. The list of my blogs is at: List of my blogs | Center for American Politics for political updates

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

TEXAS FAITH: Is religious freedom under attack in America?

Indeed, every group feels that their religious liberty is under attack. Is there a time in history when a group did not feel threatened by co-religionists, other religions and the governments? Here is a short history and possible solutions.

This a weekly column at Dallas Morning News, here is Mike’s contribution on the topic.

MIKE GHOUSE, President,
Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

Indeed, every group feels that their religious liberty is under
attack. Is there a time in history when a group did not feel threatened by
co-religionists, other religions and the governments? Here is a short history
and possible solutions.

Jews have always been under attack. They felt at home in Spain, which was
destroyed by butcher Ferdinand. Then, they felt at home in Germany, but the
Holocaust tore them apart and their belief in humanity was shattered. Every
day, they have to be on guard. Someone or another is making anti-Semitic
comments.

Fred Phelps was in Dallas in July 2010 demonstrating hate against Jews. The
anti-circumcision bills in San Francisco and Santa Monica in 2011 were
irritants. Last month in Houston, the Jewish academy could not participate in a
basketball game. It was set on Saturday, most Jews refrain from activity that
day. Indeed, it is restricting their freedom to practice their religion by
exclusion and being insensitive to their faith.

Hindus are an open game to evangelists. A few years ago, a Baptist
convention made a declaration to harvest the "Poor Hindu souls". This
year, Russians made a serious attempt to ban Bhagvad Gita, the Hindu Holy Book.
In November 2011, a Kentucky state senator attacked Hinduism as an idolatrous
belief. California textbooks portrayed Hinduism in negative light, so the
battle is still on. There is a debate among Indians: Had Bobby Jindal of Hindu
parents and Nikki Haley of Sikh parents practiced their faiths, and not
converted to Christianity, would they have become governors?

Sikhs had to fight with Arizona to keep the name of a Sikh 9/11
victim on a memorial wall. Wicca had to fight for the headstone in Arlington
Memorial Cemetery for those who died serving America. Of course, there are
enough stories about Native Americans, atheists and others.

Muslim Americans strongly feel the noose tightening on their
freedom. Most restrictions are coming out of sheer ignorance and a false
understanding of what their faith is about, as they practice in America rather
than Saudi Arabia or Iran. The senators and representatives who have initiated
anti-Sharia bills can't even tell what they are opposing.

The irony is neither the organizations nor the Muslims are seeking
Sharia to be a part of the American law. All they are asking is to have options
to square personal matters between family members through a jury, mediation,
court hearing or the Sharia guidelines. Indeed, it is no different than the
option of Jews using Halaqa in their personal conflicts or going to a psychologist
for counseling.

Most Christian denominations have been under attack by fellow
Christians. Missionaries were unforgivably cruel to natives around the world,
including America. Most of the groups that infringe on the freedom of others
have also been a victim.

The Catholic diocese has rightly filed the law suit protesting the
Government's intrusion in the practice of their faith that the employers
provide workers free contraceptives. This is the right thing to do - to stand
up for the freedom of religion. As a Muslim I have stood up for freedom of
every religious group, in this case with the Catholic Church. Indeed, it was
good to see evangelical leader Richard Land make the same pledge along with me
on Sean Hannity Radio.

In summary, the issues are about whether a majority - or the
government - can arrogantly push vulnerable ones into obeying.

We need to build an America where no one is apprehensive or afraid
of the other. Each one of us needs to feel home, a home where everyone can drop
his or her guards and lives freely.

It is our duty to safeguard the liberties endowed by our creator
to practice our beliefs. It behooves for us to stand up for each other, why
should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to do the same for them?

2 comments:

Like every religious group I also feel that the religious liberty is under attack now. Specially the Jewish are the main victim of it. But we don't want that America anymore. We want to live a fresh and clean life with gratitude. Now, for your help I think this video goo.gl/BYMCd will really make you feel grateful!

However, it is higher than the pay rates in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The average billing and coding salary in FL is extremely close to that of technicians pay in TX. Medical Billing and Coding Wage in Texas

Dr. Ghouse has appeared in over 200 TV shows and is a frequent guest with Hannity and Varney shows at Fox News along with others. He has over 1000 hours of Radio Shows of which 700 were dedicated to interfaith and pluralism. Over 3000 articles have been published of which a 1000 were on politics, foreign policy, sports and movies, a 1000 for interfaith and pluralism matters and a 1000 plus on Islam. In addition Mike has conducted workshops on Atheist to Zoroastrian and every one in between.

INTRODUCTION

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on important and complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place.

Mike is a frequent guest on Fox News, (The Hannity Show), and has been interviewed on nationally syndicated Radio shows along with Dallas TV, Print and Radio networks and occasional interviews on NPR. He is a member of the Texas Faith panel of Dallas Morning News and writes on issues facing the nation every week. He has spoken at international forums including the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, in Melbourne, Australia, Middle East Peace Initiative, in Jerusalem, the International Leadership conference, in Hawaii, and in Washington

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of those different from ourselves. The World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. Heavily involved in both, Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and has produced outstanding public events to bring Americans together of different religions, ethnicities and races on common grounds of building a safe and secure America.

He is a speaker, thinker, collaborator and a writer on the subjects of Pluralism, the interfaith movement, cohesive societies, Islam, India, hope and world peace. Over 1000 articles of Mike’s have been published worldwide and two books are poised to be released this summer. His work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/
C
oncerned by the divisiveness, he saw the need to bring Americans together and founded America Together Foundation committed to building a cohesive America, indeed it is in response to ACT America which is bent on pitching one American against the other. We will be holding series of educational programs, conferences and workshops to address the issues that divide us such as Civil Right, GLBT, Quraan, Abortion, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Racial Profiling and Stereotyping.

The Annual Unity Day USA is in its 7th year now, it is a purposeful event to bring Americans together, on this Unity Day, we the people of the United States of America of every faith, race, ethnicity, culture and background will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, unity, prosperity and wellbeing of our nation.

Thanksgiving Celebration is in its 15th year showcasing cultural diversity.

The 5th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides is to learn and to acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and commit to avert such tragedies. Through this event non-Jewish people have consciously learned about Holocaust for the first time, it was also for the first time that people of 14 faiths came together to join in to commemorate the Holocaust that commemorated within the Jewish Community for years. They are not alone anymore in their anguish, we are all in it together with them, and it is a Muslim initiative to effect a positive change.

The programs, seminars and workshops conducted by the Foundation for Pluralism have become a part of the America Together Foundation. While the Foundation for Pluralism continues championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, the commitment to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam through the World Muslim Congress continues.

Mike is a speaker, thinker, collaborator and a writer on the subjects of Pluralism, the Interfaith Movement, Cohesive Societies, Islam, India, Hope and World Peace. Over 1000 of his articles have been published worldwide and two books are poised to be released this summer. His work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net

To engage Mike in a dialogue, conference or a talk, write to Ghousespeaks@gmail.com and email dedicated for this purpose or you can call him on a short notice at 214.325.1916